BOSTON — The Boston Spring Fling and Auction is back for its 33rd year, bringing fun for all ages. The week will begin with an egg hunt, before concluding on the 8th with a festival.

“Boston in the spring is the perfect backdrop for the 33rd Annual Spring Fling and Auction and the Saturday before Easter is the perfect time for the Easter activities offered as part of the festivities” said festival chair Richard Reynolds.

The fun begins Monday, April 3 when the first clue is posted for the “Mystery Egg,” which is hidden in the area within 100 blocks of north and south Main Street and east and west Jefferson Street. A new clue is posted daily in local businesses and on social media. The prize for the finder of the “Mystery Egg” is an Easter basket generously filled with goodies. The “Mystery Egg” must be turned in to Marketing Communications at 131 West Jefferson Street and the award will be made at the auction at noon on Saturday.

April 8, 2023 is the date for the festival! Arts/crafts/food vendors will open on Main Street in Historic Downtown Boston at 9:30 a.m. Hannah Evans and Pattie Wood are coordinating the vendors and indicate that a great array will be on hand. Enjoy the nostalgia of handmade, wooden toys, Easter baskets, candy boxes, wind chimes, handmade laundry soap, infused butters and satsuma jelly, and other arts/crafts. Guests don’t want to miss the homemade baked goods of Angela Shaw, mouthwatering BBQ from Goins. Murphy’s will be on hand with food, and everyone’s favorite tropical ice, Kona Ice!

At 10 a.m., old and young alike are encouraged to come to Watt Park and model their favorite Easter bonnets. Bonnets will range from pretty pastel numbers to the limits of imagination. There is no fee to enter the friendly competition and each entry will be awarded for their participation. No need to pre-register; just get to Watt Park no later than 10 a.m.

At 11 a.m., the auctioneer will step up to the stage in Watt Park to begin the lively process of offering a wide variety of items to the highest bidder. Items ranging from yard and garden to household items to gift certificates of local favorite stores and boutiques to weekend getaways to meals at favored restaurants, as well as framed art, books, fishing opportunities and much, much more. Tickets to bid are $1.00; also available at the ticket table will be the opportunity to buy raffle tickets for a huge, goody filled Easter basket. Come, enjoy the opportunity to “sit a spell” in the shade at Watt Park and participate in the auction.

At 1 p.m., Funsized Farm will have a petting zoo setup with pygmy goats, rabbits and chickens. Kids will enjoy the opportunity to interact with these animals and learn more about them. Nancy and Scott Parkman will answer questions and also have more information about their fun destination on East Jefferson Street and the facilities they have for birthday parties, special occasions, and more.

At 1:30 p.m., the last event of the day is a community wide Easter Egg Hunt for all kids 12 and under. The Boston Community Club and the Boston MLK Committee are combining efforts and resources to make this a special event for every child in the Boston community. There will be two locations this year – one behind ShinDig on Pear Street for ages 7 and under and one in the pecan orchard at Cemetery and Norton Streets for ages 8-12. Children can bring their own Easter basket or use one of the city’s to join in the fun. There will be over 1,000 eggs hidden in each location including Golden Eggs which contain special surprises. At the end of the hunt, after the kids have emptied the goodies out of the eggs they found, they can turn in the empty eggs for more candy.

The 33rd Annual Spring Fling and Auction is hosted by the Boston Community Club. Come enjoy a day of family fun as a great way to begin Easter weekend. For more information, find the Boston Community Club on Facebook or look for posts in Friends of Boston or Historic Downtown Boston; information can also be found at www.bostonga/events or call 229-221-3209 or 229-498-1146.